Chapter Four

Alexander’s POV.

The tension in the room was suffocating, thick enough to cut through with a knife.

I stood frozen near the fireplace, my gaze flicking between Aria and Ethan. The look on her face told me everything before a word was spoken, shock, guilt, confusion. Ethan’s jaw was tight, his eyes locked on her like he’d just seen a ghost.

“You two know each other?” I finally asked, my voice calm but carrying.

Ethan’s laugh came out dry. “Yeah, we know each other.”

Aria’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “I… I have to go.” She grabbed her purse, her voice trembling but polite. “I’m sorry, Mr. Alexander, I didn’t mean for this to be awkward.”

“Aria” I started, but she was already walking toward the door. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble, each sound echoing like a countdown.

The door closed softly, leaving behind an unbearable silence. I stared at it for a long moment before turning to my son.

“What’s going on here, Ethan?” I asked, keeping my tone even, though my chest felt tight.

He crossed his arms, a bitter smirk twisting his lips.

“You really don’t know, do you? That girl Aria Monroe, she’s my ex.”

I blinked once, the air leaving my lungs slower than usual. “Your ex?”

“Yeah. We broke up recently. Or we had a fight. I was planning to fix it.” His gaze was sharp, accusing. “Why was she here, Dad? Why was she wearing your shirt?”

I met his stare without flinching. “We’ve been seeing each other.”

For a moment, Ethan just stared at me. Then he laughed, short and bitter. “You mean you were trying to see her. Because she’s my girlfriend. You heard me Dad… My Girlfriend. Whatever we had going on, it’s not over.”

My brows drew together. “You said she was your ex.”

Ethan stepped forward, his voice rising. “So, that doesn’t give you a free pass, Dad! She’s half your age. Do you even realize how insane this sounds? What this looks like?”

“Watch your tone,” I warned, though part of me knew this argument wasn’t about respect, it was about pain.

But he didn’t stop. “You could have anyone, anyone Dad and you go after her? Do you have any idea what people will say? You’re Alexander Hayes, for crying out loud! She’s a twenty-five-year-old girl, Dad she could be your daughter!”

“Enough.” The word came out sharper than I intended.

Ethan stared at me, chest heaving. Then he shook his head, a look of disgust washing over him. “This is messed up. Stay away from her. Or you’ll lose me for good this time.”

He turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. The sound echoed through the house, bouncing off the high ceilings, leaving only silence in its wake.

For a long moment, I didn’t move. My hands were clenched, my pulse heavy. I was Alexander Hayes, CEO, billionaire, man in absolute control of every deal, every empire I’d built from the ground up. And yet, in that instant, I felt powerless.

I’d lost control of the one thing that mattered: my heart.

When my phone buzzed later that night and I saw her name flash across the screen, I didn’t hesitate.

“Aria,” I said, softer than I meant to.

Her voice trembled. “I’m sorry for earlier. I didn’t know Ethan was your son. I didn’t know how to react.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” I replied. “If anyone should, it’s me. That wasn’t how I imagined you’d meet him.”

She let out a shaky sigh. “He told you we’re still together, didn’t he?”

“He did,” I admitted.

“Well, he’s lying. We’re over, Alexander. Completely over. He betrayed me…with my best friend.” Her voice cracked, and I could almost picture the pain flickering across her face.

I clenched my jaw. “I see.”

“I can’t believe how twisted this is,” she whispered. “It’s like my life just keeps falling apart. I finally thought I’d found someone different…”

“Aria,” I said gently, “this doesn’t change how I feel. But I understand if you need time. If you’re sure about Ethan, then I’m still here.”

“You really mean that?”

“I don’t walk away from what I want,” I told her, voice low and certain. “And I want you.”

The next morning, I barely touched my coffee. The city stretched wide beneath my windows, golden light spilling over the skyline but it did nothing to settle the storm inside me, I couldn’t stand the thought of losing Aria, even to my son but I was also a little conflicted about the age difference .

I’d called Ethan late last night, my voice even, controlled. “Come by tomorrow morning. We need to talk.”

He’d paused for a moment before hanging up. No argument, no questions just silence.

Now, as I waited, I found myself pacing in the living room, a thing I hadn’t done in years. I was Alexander Hayes. People waited for me, not the other way around. But this…this was different.

When the door finally opened and Ethan walked in, his expression said everything. Anger, defiance, disbelief. He didn’t even sit.

“Sit down, Ethan,” I said quietly.

“I’m fine standing,” he snapped.

I inhaled slowly, counting the seconds in my head before speaking again. “We need to clear the air about Aria.”

He laughed, short and cold. “Clear the air? You mean justify whatever the hell you think you’re doing with her?”

My jaw tightened, but I didn’t raise my voice. “I’m not justifying anything. I’m telling you the truth. Aria and I have been spending time together. She told me what happened between you two. The betrayal. The lies. She made it clear that it’s over.”

Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides. “You’re actually saying this to me? You’re saying this like it’s normal? You’re my father, for God’s sake!”

“I’m aware of who I am,” I said evenly. “And I’m also aware that she’s a grown woman capable of choosing for herself.”

He stepped closer, fury written all over his face.

“You’ve lost your mind. She’s half your age, Dad. Half. She could be your daughter!”

“I don’t care about numbers Ethan, she is a grown adult” I said, my tone sharp but steady. “And you know I’ve never cared about what people say. Not in business, not in life.”

“This isn’t business!” he shouted. “This is my relationship!”

“You mean the one you destroyed when you slept with her best friend?”

Ethan froze. The silence that followed was deafening.

I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but the truth was already in the air between us, sharp and cold.

“Who told you that?” he finally muttered.

“Aria did,” I replied. “And I believe her.”

Ethan’s eyes burned. “You have no idea what that night was, what happened”

“Then enlighten me.”

He looked away, jaw working. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter but filled with venom.

“You don’t understand. She means nothing to you. To me she’s… she’s different. I messed up, yes, but I still love her. You can’t just swoop in and take her from me.”

I let out a long breath. “Ethan, I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I met her before I knew she was connected to you. But I won’t pretend I don’t care about her. Because I do. And if she truly doesn’t want to be with you, then you have no claim on her.”

Ethan’s eyes widened, disbelief written across his face. “So that’s it? You’re just… taking her? You’re actually doing this?”

“I’m not taking anyone. I’m giving her a choice.”

He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. “You’re unbelievable. You think you can buy your way through everything even love.”

My tone hardened. “You’re forgetting who you’re talking to.”

He stared at me for a long, tense moment, then turned on his heel. “You know what, Dad? Have her. But when this blows up in your face and it will, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He walked out, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing like a gunshot.

For several seconds, I stood there, staring after him. Then I walked toward the window, my reflection merging with the skyline. The city stretched out before me, sharp, gleaming, merciless.

I’d built empires on power and control. But this… this was something I couldn’t negotiate or dominate. It was messy. Human. Real.

And I couldn’t deny it, I was falling for her.

By evening, I made up my mind. If Aria had been shaken by everything that happened, she deserved a moment of peace, something just for her.

I picked up my phone and called my driver. “Have the car ready by seven tomorrow morning. And tell Lucas to clear my schedule for the weekend.”

“Yes, sir.”

When I hung up, I texted Aria:

“I know things have been… difficult. Let me make it right. I’ll have a car come pick you up tomorrow morning. Pack light. Just trust me.”

But I already knew, I wouldn’t be sending the car.

I’d be there myself.

By morning, my decision was final. I had spent the night replaying every word of my son’s outburst, every flicker of shock in Aria’s eyes when she realized who I was.

The situation was chaos. But chaos had never scared me, losing control did.

And I was already losing it, because of her.

I drove myself that morning. My driver tried to insist, but I waved him off.

“No, I’ll handle this one myself,” I said. “Just follow in the other car.”

It wasn’t just about seeing her. It was about showing her that despite everything, the confusion, the tension, the broken pieces of what we’d both stepped into, I was serious.

Her apartment building wasn’t in the wealthiest part of Manhattan, but it was quaint and quiet, the kind of place that felt like home.

When she stepped out of the lobby, her face was a mix of shock and hesitation.

“Mr Alexander?” she breathed, clutching her bag.

I smiled softly. “You didn’t think I’d send a driver, did you?”

Her lips parted, eyes darting between me and the sleek black Maybach idling behind me. “You said a car would come pick me up. You didn’t say you would.”

I stepped closer, my voice low. “Some things are worth doing personally.”

Her cheeks flushed. “You really didn’t have to”

“I did,” I interrupted gently. “Now get in, Miss Monroe. We have a long drive ahead.”

She hesitated only a moment before sliding into the passenger seat. The faint scent of her perfume filled the car, soft and sweet, the kind of scent that lingered long after someone was gone.

The drive out of the city was quiet at first, the skyline shrinking behind us. She glanced at me a few times, but I kept my eyes on the road.

Finally, she spoke. “You didn’t have to do this. After what happened with Ethan”

“I know,” I said, my voice calm. “That’s exactly why I’m doing it. You need a break from all of that. From him. From everything.”

Her lips curved faintly. “So this is… what? A distraction?”

I glanced at her. “A weekend getaway. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

When we arrived, her breath caught.

The private suite overlooked the water, a secluded cliffside retreat built from glass and marble, surrounded by quiet. The kind of place I went to when the world felt too loud.

“Mr Alexander…” she whispered, stepping out of the car, her eyes wide. “This is… wow.”

“Something like that,” I said, watching her expression with quiet satisfaction. “You like it?”

“I love it.”

Her voice was so soft, it nearly undid me.

I led her inside. The suite was warm and inviting, floor-to-ceiling windows, a private terrace, champagne chilled on the table. The faint scent of roses hung in the air, subtle and elegant.

“Consider it a place to breathe,” I said. “No expectations. Just peace.”

She smiled, but there was sadness behind it. “Peace sounds good.”

We toasted quietly. The glasses clinked, delicate crystal, light catching on the golden bubbles. But in her nervous laugh, I caught something deeper.

You look beautiful," I breathed, my voice thick.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, "You always say that." She leaned in, her scent, soft and sweet, enveloped me. Her lips, full and soft, met mine. The kiss started slow, a gentle exploration, then deepened. My tongue found hers and we kissed passionately. My hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer until her breasts pressed against my chest.

"I want you," I murmured against her mouth, the words sounded like a raw plea.

Her fingers went into my hair, tugging gently. “I want you too, Alexander."

I leaned and whispered into her ears “you know this is the first time you’ve called me Alexander without the Mr.”

My hands moved, fumbling with the zip of her silk dress. The fabric, cool against my fingertips, gave way easily. Her skin, warm and supple, emerged beneath. I pushed the straps from her shoulders, watching the dress as it fell to the floor, I unhooked her bra and her breasts, full and round, rose and fell with her quickening breath. My gaze lingered on her nipples, already taut, begging for attention.

"God, Aria," I murmured, my voice thick, barely a whisper. My eyes devoured them, my hands cupped them, one in each palm. My thumbs brushed her nipples, teasing and circling them.

“Mmm Alexander” she hummed, her voice sounded like a low purr.

"Come here," I urged, my voice hoarse. I guided her onto the bed, I knelt between her legs, my fingers tracing the delicate curve of her inner thigh. I leaned and kissed her breasts then i slowly sucked them, i sucked harder while circling her nipples with my tongue.

“Don’t stop” she moaned, her fingers tangling in my hair.”

My free hand moved to her other breast, kneading it gently.

Her hips arched slightly, an unspoken invitation. I leaned down, my tongue flicking out, tasting the sensitive skin there. A sharp gasp tore from her throat.

"Oh, Alexander…"

My mouth moved lower, teasing, tasting. The sweet, musky scent of her arousal filled my senses. I parted her pussy with my fingers, revealing the glistening, swollen clit. I took it into my mouth, sucking gently, swirling my tongue around it. She cried out, her back arching, her hands gripping the sheets.

"Yes… like that… please…" she moaned.

I continued, my rhythm steady, my focus entirely on her pleasure. Her hips bucked against my face, a desperate, rhythmic motion. The sounds of my mouth working on her clit filled the quiet room. Her legs wrapped around my head, pulling me deeper into her wet heat. A shudder ran through her entire body.

"Ah! Oh, God, Alexander!" Her orgasm tore through her, a powerful wave that left her trembling, gasping for air.

I rose, my cock, hard and throbbing, brushing against her wet pussy. She opened her eyes, hazy with post-orgasmic bliss. A slow smile spread across her face.

"My turn," I stated, my voice a low growl.

She reached for me, her fingers wrapping around my cock, stroking me. "Always." She kissed the head of my cock and slowly took it into her mouth, she sucked me hard.

“Ahh” I moaned.

She guided my cock to her pussy, the slickness of her arousal welcoming me. I pushed, slowly, inch by agonizing inch. The head of my cock slid inside, then the shaft, until I was fully embedded within her. A sigh of pure contentment escaped my lips. Her internal muscles gripped me, a warm, tight embrace.

"You feel so good," I groaned, leaning down to kiss her forehead, then her lips.

We began to move, a slow, deliberate rhythm. My hips drove into hers, the soft thud of skin against skin echoing in the room. Each thrust brought a fresh wave of sensation, a deeper connection. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me in even closer. I felt her wetness surround me, I looked into her eyes, seeing not just desire, but love, pure and unwavering.

"You are so sweet Aria," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

“Mmmh” She moaned hard as I thrusted.

Our movements grew more urgent, I thrusted harder, my balls slapped against her ass with each deep thrust. My own climax was building, a hot, insistent pressure. I felt her tense beneath me. We moved together, two bodies, one rhythm, driving towards ecstasy. I plunged into her one last, deep time.

“Argh” I moaned hard, I pulled out of her right before I came, a hot gush that left me trembling, utterly spent. Her body convulsed around me.

We lay there, entangled, our breaths ragged, our hearts pounding in unison. Her hand found mine, fingers lacing together. I pressed a kiss to her temple, feeling the warmth of her skin, the steady beat of her heart. This, I thought, this is everything.

Afterwards, she lay beside me, tracing the edge of the sheets. “I looked you up when I got home yesterday. And I know what this looks like,” she said quietly. “A billionaire and his son’s ex. It’s messy, complicated, I’m 25 and you are 50, people will talk. I don’t know if I can handle all that.”

I turned to face her. “Aria, since my wife died, I’ve been buried in this empire. Work. Numbers. Deals. Nothing felt real anymore until you. You’ve reminded me that I still have a heart and that terrifies me.”

She met my gaze, and I could see tears forming in her eyes.

“I don’t care about the noise,” I continued. “I don’t care about the media, or the age, or what anyone says. I care about you. And I’m not letting this go unless you tell me to.”

Her lips trembled. “Alexander, I”

I silenced her with a kiss, deep and tender, the kind that promised everything and asked for nothing.

That night, we fell asleep in each other’s arms, and for the first time in years, I dreamed of something other than success.

Aria’s POV.

I woke up wrapped in silk sheets that probably cost more than my rent.

For a moment, I didn’t move, I just listened to the sound of the waves outside, the soft hum of the morning.

Then I remembered where I was. Who I was with.

Alexander Hayes. I just had steamy hot sex with my ex’s 50 year old father.

The thought alone made my heart stutter.

He’d already gone when I woke, but a note lay on the pillow beside me.

“Something urgent came up. Enjoy the spa, Aria. Everything is booked. You deserve it.”

The spa was a dream. Soft music, rosewater baths, and staff who treated me like royalty. I’d never experienced anything like it. For once, I wasn’t the overworked assistant drowning in paperwork, I was the woman being cherished.

When I rejoined Alexander later, he smiled at me in that slow, confident way that made the world fade. We spent the weekend exploring, dining, talking about everything and nothing. He made me laugh, he made me feel seen.

And when he dropped me home on Sunday evening, he said quietly, “Tell me you don’t regret this.”

I met his gaze. “I don’t. Thank you, Alexander.”

When I walked into my apartment, my mom was reading a book, so I sat beside her.

“How was it?” she asked, smiling.

“Amazing,” I said dreamily. “Mom, I think I’m in love. But there’s something I need to tell you about him. ”

Her smile faltered. “What, did something happen”

“Mom his name is Alexander Hayes, and…”

“What’s wrong baby, you don’t like his last name…”

“No mom, not that. The thing is, he is a 50 year old billionaire who happens to be… Ethan’s Father” I said slightly closing my eyes as though that gesture would reduce the intensity of the bomb I just dropped.”

“What on earth” she said in utter shock.

“I know mom, it’s messy…”

“It IS very messy Aria, the man is just five years younger than I am and on top of that he is Ethan’s father, what in the world...”

“Mom I’m so confused, and I think I might be inlove with him”

“Aria you are unbelievable, you cannot possibly be in love with a 50 year old man, he seems nice but you have to end whatever is going on, I mean this is terrible, even unacceptable, he’s Ethan’s Dad…”

“I know mom”, I intercepted her, “you think this is easy for me, I’m so confused, I don’t think I can fight the feelings, I’m really attracted to him, he understands me, he makes me feel better about myself, he’s been…”

“Aria can you even hear yourself” mom said with an expression of disgust, “ a man who is 5 years younger than I am, makes you feel better about yourself”

“Mom he doesn’t even look his age, he looks younger, he’s very fit and he cares for me so much more than any YOUNG man I have ever dated, this isn’t even easy for him as-well”

“Aria No, this is bad, extremely bad”

“I didn’t expect you to react this way, you just ruined what was a perfect day.” I sighed and went to my room.

The next morning, I was still pissed at mom but I knew that I was more angry because she was right.

I went to work, humming to myself, still floating from the weekend.

Then Tessa grinned as I walked in.

“Someone had a very good weekend,” she teased.

I laughed. “What are you talking about?”

She held up her phone. “It’s all over social media, Aria. You and Mr. Hayes at the suite, you are on a hot streak girl”

My stomach dropped.

I grabbed my phone, opened I*******m and froze.

Photos. So many photos. Me and Alexander walking into the suite. Laughing at dinner. Some captions were sweet.

“Has billionaire Alexander Hayes finally found love?”

But others were vile.

“Billionaire Hayes dating his son’s leftovers.”

My heart pounded. Comments poured in, cruel, relentless.

Then my phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

I hesitated, staring at the screen.

And that’s how my perfect weekend ended.